solve

[solv]

See more synonyms for solve on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), solved, solv·ing.

to find the answer or explanation for; clear up; explain: to solve the mystery of the missing books.
to work out the answer or solution to (a mathematical problem).

Origin of solve

1400–50; late Middle English solven < Latin solvere to loosen, free, release, dissolve

Related formssolv·er, nounpre·solve, verb (used with object), pre·solved, pre·solv·ing.un·solved, adjectivewell-solved, adjective

Synonyms

See more synonyms for solve on Thesaurus.com

1. resolve, unravel, untangle, crack.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for solve

Contemporary Examples

This is the first study of its kind in Turkey and raises the possibility that a private solution could solve a public problem.
The Women Battling an Islamist Strongman
Christina Asquith
December 22, 2014
To solve the problem, we need to study a lot more comets and meteorites.
Are Comets the Origin of Earth’s Oceans?
Matthew R. Francis
December 14, 2014
Is there anyone who thinks the urgent problem we need to solve in Washington, D.C. is how to allow more spending on campaigns?
Just What We Needed: More Campaign Spending
Mark McKinnon
December 8, 2014
“I doubt you can solve range and the need for a large magazine with the same missile,” he said.
Pentagon Worries That Russia Can Now Outshoot U.S. Stealth Jets
Dave Majumdar
December 4, 2014
Why are you trying to solve a cultural problem with a political solution?
Dear Evangelicals: You’re Being Had
Jay Michaelson
November 30, 2014

Historical Examples

When you solve a sum you go from "a" to "b" and from "b" to "c" and from "c" to "d" and so on.
Ancient Man
Hendrik Willem van Loon
To solve their problem the engineers borrowed an idea from the Sumerians.
Ancient Man
Hendrik Willem van Loon
But this does not astonish us when we understand the difficulties which he was obliged to solve.
Ancient Man
Hendrik Willem van Loon
He was trying to solve his problem and Tillie's, and what he had found was no solution, but a compromise.
K
Mary Roberts Rinehart
I asked, astonished at Jim's behavior, and anxious for some clew by which to solve its mystery.
The Underdog
F. Hopkinson Smith

British Dictionary definitions for solve

solve

verb (tr)

to find the explanation for or solution to (a mystery, problem, etc)
maths
1. to work out the answer to (a problem)
2. to obtain the roots of (an equation)

Derived Formssolver, noun

Word Origin

C15: from Latin solvere to loosen, release, free from debt

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for solve

v.

late 14c., "to disperse, dissipate, loosen," from Latin solvere "to loosen, dissolve; untie, release, detach; depart; unlock; scatter; dismiss; accomplish, fulfill; explain; remove," from PIE *se-lu-, from reflexive pronoun *s(w)e- (see idiom) + root *leu- "to loosen, divide, cut apart" (see lose). The meaning "explain, answer" is attested from 1530s; for sense evolution, see solution. Mathematical use is attested from 1737. Related: Solved; solving.

solve

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}solve

Synonyms

Examples from the Web for solve

Contemporary Examples

This is the first study of its kind in Turkey and raises the possibility that a private solution could solve a public problem.

To solve the problem, we need to study a lot more comets and meteorites.

Is there anyone who thinks the urgent problem we need to solve in Washington, D.C. is how to allow more spending on campaigns?

“I doubt you can solve range and the need for a large magazine with the same missile,” he said.

Why are you trying to solve a cultural problem with a political solution?

Historical Examples

When you solve a sum you go from "a" to "b" and from "b" to "c" and from "c" to "d" and so on.

To solve their problem the engineers borrowed an idea from the Sumerians.

But this does not astonish us when we understand the difficulties which he was obliged to solve.

He was trying to solve his problem and Tillie's, and what he had found was no solution, but a compromise.

I asked, astonished at Jim's behavior, and anxious for some clew by which to solve its mystery.

solve

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for solve

v.

Origin of solve